Local humane society overwhelmed by community response to abandoned dogs

HUDSON, N.Y. — There has
been a wonderful turn of events for the nearly 50 dogs removed from the home of
a suspected animal hoarder in Ghent.

The animals were found in some
of the worst conditions animal rescuers at Columbia Greene Humane Society have ever
seen, with many small breed dogs kept in cramped quarters, living in their own
waste at the home.

But the Capital Region has
answered the shelter's calls for help in force.

Ron Perez, president of the Columbia Greene Humane Society says applications to
their website were coming in in such high numbers; the shelter had to shut down
the online applications altogether. It's a show of support Perez says he's
overwhelmed by.

After screening hundreds
of applications, he expects a little more than half of the 47 hoarded dogs to
be placed in loving homes this weekend. Cairn terriers, Chihuahuas, and Dachshunds
will be beginning the first days of the rest of their lives.